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Demon – Blood Sport / Intensity [ICU006]

If you haven’t seen the name ‘Demon’ circulating at some point or another over the past few months, you’ve definitely been smoking way too many bath salts. He has, alongside his hefty crew, been infiltrating the 140 scene with pumping sub-bass notes, and his uniquely twisted mid-range filter modulations. As founder of the M.U.D/M.U.V (Macabre Unit Digital/Vinyl, respectively) he has been able to aggressively make his presence known over the past year. Signing releases to heavyweights such as Biome, DCult, and Perverse – to name a few, the represented sound has gained a very strong and dedicated following.

Demon takes a breather from releasing on M.U.D/M.U.V for a brief moment with tunes ‘Blood Sport’ and ‘Intensity’, as they have been signed to ICU Audio. Both of these beats take a Freddy Krueger approach to their sound design, and will likely leave you wondering what the f*ck just happened! I am really happy with the way this release represents a ‘sound’ or ‘vibe’, as a whole. It’s not just two tracks thrown together as an ‘A’ and ‘B’, rather two tracks built with the intentions of being released together. It could be said that between these two tracks there is a story being told. Some might argue my claim but if you play these tracks back-to-back in the mix you’ll understand what I’m talking about. You see this often when someone plans on building an album, but no so much with a 12″ – I’m really feeling this approach, whether intended or not.

Blood Sport ||

As this one creeps in with distant tribal chants and delayed synth chords there is a mystic energy being built up. Then the track is stripped and the only thing left is a swelling chant. You’d think, at first listen, you know what’s about to come next. For f*cks sake, you probably couldn’t have been more wrong! The way this beats evolves from a colorful meditation vibe, into a depth-charge of sub weight, built beneath a swinging pattern of kick and snare, made me double glance at my iTunes thinking I somehow switched the track. This is a half-step riddim’ meant to tear the roof off clubs. As the track evolves even further, the colorful synths make their way back into the sound field and beautifully integrate ‘tribal’ and, so called, ‘dungeon’ sounds. Hold tight for the second drop!

Intensity ||

These mid-range bass notes just tear through your mind! The way he has chosen to build upon the grooves and transitions of this track victims screaming adds an…. errr… well, ironically, ‘intensity’ to the composition, that makes you feel like you are right there – living inside the beat. Upon the beat hitting its full potential, your body will be surged with an innate urge to relentlessly roll your body back and forth to bouncy sound design of this one. It’s a very powerful track, to say the least, that nicely embodies Demon’s style/approach by showcasing his extremely dark and energetic grooves.